MP Charles: Robbery of German diplomat could have global impact

German diplomat Miriam Aertker

Rowley’s administration’s ineptitude in dealing with crime is setting the stage for more countries advising their citizens to avoid T&T. This follows travel advice sites telling Germans to reconsider your need to travel to Trinidad and Tobago. TT has a current risk level of 4 (out of 5).

In the wake of this information, a German diplomat with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and a companion were reportedly robbed by armed bandits in Curepe on Sunday night.

Charles is calling on the administration, lest our international reputation be further tarnished, to consider special security measures for visitors to our shores, including tourists, cruise ship visitors, and diplomats.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced of four Saudi diplomats being robbed in Port of Spain.

TT has a duty under the Vienna Convention and other diplomatic relation protocols to ensure the safety and security of diplomatic and consular missions and their representatives.

The US has already downgraded its travel advisory, warning its citizens to “Reconsider travel to TT due to crime”.

Rowley cannot honestly state that he is satisfied with the performance of his Minister of National Security or the state of crime in TT.

His attempt to distract by hosting regional crime talks and discussions with Opposition members cannot deflect from his glaring and now globally acknowledged incompetence.

This latest incident is one of the many blots on our international image which cannot be solved by silence or swept under the rug by this PNM administration. The protection of foreign representatives resident in TT is crucial for international relations. Failure to do so, or to even acknowledge when a crime against them has occurred, as most likely with the Saudis, is an insult to that nation.

We continue to witness this PNM administration repeatedly fail to address the numerous travel advisories from Canada, Australia, the UK, New Zealand among others warning their citizens about TT’s high crime rates.

It is clear given our deteriorating crime situation that we are headed towards failed state status. It is time that Hinds, given his global notoriety for incompetence, finally addresses the upsurge in crime and criminality. Failing to do so he must do TT a favour and resign.